The first half of Anzac Round offers some tantalising match-ups, with plenty of quality teams on display.
Last year’s grand finalists and the NRL’s form teams after seven rounds, the Broncos and the Cowboys, will host Souths and Parramatta respectively.
The Raiders will be looking to come back from two heavy losses when the Wests Tigers head to the nation’s capital, while the Bulldogs face their bogey team, the Titans.
Brisbane Broncos versus South Sydney Rabbitohs
Friday, April 22, 7:50pm (AEST) at Suncorp Stadium
Wayne Bennett’s side experienced a huge victory in Round 7, shutting out the Knights to win 53-0 at Suncorp Stadium.
Anthony Milford starred, bagging three tries, setting up another and running for over 160 metres as the Broncos continued to increase the gap between last year’s grand finalists and the remainder of the competition.
Souths were victims of the ever-expanding gap when they headed to Townsville last week, thrashed 44-18 by the Cowboys.
Adam Reynolds was the only shining light for the Rabbitohs in his return game from injury, with Souths’ forward pack, previously one of the most formidable in the competition, lacking any serious punch.
George and Thomas Burgess struggled to find their feet against one of the benchmark teams after seven rounds of the premiership. The England internationals will have a chance to redeem themselves against Brisbane, with the twins needing to lift Souths’ lacklustre attack – alongside older brother and dual-international Sam.
Brisbane have dominated proceedings between the two clubs, with a total of 15 wins from 23 meetings, Souths taking seven fixtures and one being drawn.
The Broncs won their most recent encounter, 47-12 in Round 25 last year at Allianz Stadium, however they lost in their other meeting for 2015, 36-6 in the opening match of the season.
Prediction
Souths will struggle once again to meet the level of one of the NRL’s top teams. This will be their third straight loss.
Broncos by 20.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Broncos defeated Rabbitohs 47-12 (Round 25, 2015)
Head-to-head: 23 played – Broncos 15, Rabbitohs 7
Broncos last three games: 53-0 versus Knights, 26-0 versus Dragons, 24-16 versus Titans
Rabbitohs last three games: 18-44 versus Cowboys, 10-17 versus Roosters, 16-12 versus Sea EaglesBrisbane Broncos
1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Jack Reed, 4. James Roberts, 5. Jordan Kahu, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Josh McGuire, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Adam Blair, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Corey Parker (c)
Interchange: 14. Jarrod Wallace, 15. Sam Thaiday, 16. Joe Ofahengaue, 17. Kodi NikorimaSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Greg Inglis (c), 2. Bryson Goodwin, 3. Kirisome Auva’a, 4. Hymel Hunt, 5. Aaron Gray, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Thomas Burgess, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. David Tyrrell, 11. Chris Grevsmuhl, 12. Kyle Turner, 13. Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14. Paul Carter, 15. Jason Clark, 16. Nathan Brown, 17. George Burgess, 18. Damien Cook
Canterbury Bulldogs versus Gold Coast Titans
Saturday, April 23, 3pm (AEST) at ANZ Stadium
Canterbury will be hoping they can get back into the winner’s circle after they came away winless from their explorations of New Zealand.
Rookie Kerrod Holland stood out for the Dogs last week, with the Singleton Greyhounds junior having so far played a starring role in each of his three NRL appearances.
Neil Henry has turned around the Titans brand drastically in 2016, with his troops putting in some good displays so far this season. However, Gold Coast need an 80-minute performance here, having gone into hiding in the early stages of play over the opening rounds.
Ashley Taylor will lead the way once again for the Titans, partnering with Tyrone Roberts in the halves.
The side will be boosted by the return of experienced lock Greg Bird from suspension, while Kierran Moseley replaces the injured Daniel Mortimer on the interchange bench.
The Bulldogs have won six of their last 13 battles with the Gold Coast.
Canterbury prevailed last time they met, 36-14 in a meeting on the Central Coast in Round 23 last year, but lost to the Titans 28-14 in Round 14.
Prediction
Des Hasler’s men will earn their fifth win of 2016.
Bulldogs by 10.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 3pm (AEST)
Venue: ANZ Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Bulldogs defeated Titans 36-14 (Round 23, 2015)
Head-to-head: 13 played – Bulldogs 6, Titans 7
Bulldogs last three games: 8-22 versus Raiders, 18-12 versus Storm, 20-24 versus Warriors
Titans last three games: 16-24 versus Broncos, 20-25 versus Sharks, 14-19 versus DragonsCanterbury Bulldogs
1. Will Hopoate, 2. Curtis Rona, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Kerrod Holland, 5. Sam Perrett, 6. Josh Reynolds, 7. Moses Mbye, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Michael Lichaa, 10. James Graham (c), 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Tony Williams, 13. Greg Eastwood
Interchange: 14. Sam Kasiano, 15. Tim Browne, 16. David Klemmer, 17. Adam Elliot, 19. Lloyd Perrett, 21. Craig GarveyGold Coast Titans
1. William Zillman (c), 2. Anthony Don, 3. Josh Hoffman, 4. Nene Macdonald, 5. David Mead, 6. Tyrone Roberts, 7. Ashley Taylor, 8. David Shillington, 9. Nathan Friend (c), 10. Ryan James, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Chris McQueen, 13. Greg Bird
Interchange: 14. Luke Douglas, 15. Leivaha Pulu, 16. Agnatius Paasi, 17. Kierran Moseley, 18. Eddy Pettybourne
Canberra Raiders versus Wests Tigers
Saturday, April 23, 5:30pm (AEST) at GIO Stadium
The Raiders have been on the receiving end of two massive losses over the past fortnight, falling 36-6 to the Eels in Parramatta and 40-16 to the Sharks in Canberra.
Ricky Stuart has taken aim at his side as he looks to fire them up, and the Green Machine’s forward pack are expected to dominate the Wests Tigers.
Stuart has named the same 17 as last week, however he has named three players to an extended bench. Jarrad Kennedy is in line to make his 50th NRL appearance, while Mitchell Barnett could also appear alongside Clay Priest, a prop currently playing for Mounties in the Queensland Premiership.
The Tigers have not won a game since defeating the Sea Eagles back in Round 2.
Sauaso Sue returns for the joint venture, pushing Dene Halatau to an extended five-man bench, while Josh Addo-Carr and JJ Felise have also been named after the pair starred on debut in their 19-18 extra-time loss to the Storm at Leichhardt Oval.
Halves pairing Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks will no doubt be looking to improve on last week’s performance, while James Tedesco needs a bigger game if he is to continue to be in the frame for a State of Origin jersey, after he had a quiet week at the back against the Storm.
The Raiders and Wests Tigers have played out 30 meetings, with the Tigers winning 18 to Canberra’s 12.
Their most recent encounter came in Round 22 of last year, Jason Taylor’s men taking a 20-18 win, while the Raiders got up 30-22 in Round 7, 2015.
Prediction
The Raiders look hungrier and should get a tight win at home.
Raiders by 6.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 5:30pm (AEST)
Venue: GIO Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Wests Tigers defeated Raiders 20-18 (Round 22, 2015)
Head-to-head: 30 played – Raiders 12, Wests Tigers 18
Raiders last three games: 16-40 versus Sharks, 6-36 versus Eels, 22-8 versus Bulldogs
Wests Tigers last three games: 18-19 versus Storm, 16-18 versus Knights, 26-34 versus SharksCanberra Raiders
1. Jack Wighton, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Sam Williams, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Shannon Boyd, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Frank-Paul Nuuausala, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Shaun Fensom
Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste, 15. Luke Bateman, 16. Paul Vaughan, 17. Joseph Tapine, 18. Clay Priest, 19. Jarrad Kennedy, 20. Mitchell BarnettWests Tigers
1. James Tedesco, 2. Josh Addo-Carr, 3. Nathan Milone, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 5. Jordan Rankin, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Ava Seumanufagai, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Tim Grant, 11. Curtis Sironen, 12. Chris Lawrence (c), 13. Sauaso Sue
Interchange: 14. Josh Aloiai, 15. Dene Halatau (c), 16. Kyle Lovett, 17. JJ Felise, 18. Joel Edwards
North Queensland Cowboys versus Parramatta Eels
Saturday, April 23, 7:30pm (AEST) at 1300Smiles Stadium
North Queensland blew the Rabbitohs out of the water last week in Townsville. Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan put on a masterclass, and the Cowboys’ pack, led by Gavin Cooper, restated their claims as the best forward rotation in the competition.
The Cowboys will be extremely hard to beat at Kirwan, with their last defeat at the venue coming in August of last year.
Furthermore, the last time Parramatta ventured north they received a 46-4 flogging, in Round 20 of 2015, one of two losses to the Cowboys last year (the other coming in Round 13 36-30). In fact the Eels have never won at 1300Smiles Stadium.
Parramatta were able to salvage a victory last time the two premiership contenders met, with a Round 2 victory at Pirtek Stadium 20-16.
Kieran Foran and Corey Norman have made a massive impact this season, while the Eels’ forward pack have quickly become one of the most respected in the premiership.
Prediction
Parramatta will struggle against the Cowboys and cop a heavy defeat.
Cowboys by 18.
What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:30pm (AEST)
Venue: 1300Smiles Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Eels defeated Cowboys 20-16 (Round 2, 2016)
Head-to-head: 32 played – Cowboys 15, Eels 16
Cowboys last three games: 44-18 versus Rabbitohs, 23-18 versus Panthers, 36-0 versus Dragons
Eels last three games: 22-10 versus Eels, 36-6 versus Raiders, 18-20 versus PanthersNorth Queensland Cowboys
1. Lachlan Coote, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Kane Linnett, 5. Antonio Winterstein, 6. Michael Morgan, 7. Johnathan Thurston (c), 8. Matthew Scott (c), 9. Jake Granville, 10. James Tamou, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Ethan Lowe, 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn, 15. Patrick Kaufusi, 16. Scott Bolton, 17. Ben HannantParramatta Eels
1. Michael Gordon, 2. Semi Radradra, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Clinton Gutherson, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Kieran Foran (c), 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Daniel Alvaro, 11. Manu Ma’u, 12. Beau Scott, 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange: 14. Isaac De Gois, 15. Peni Terepo, 16. Danny Wicks, 17. Kenny Edwards
Be sure to tune in tomorrow as I preview the remaining four fixtures of Round 7.
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